Air inlet device for oil burners



June 10., 1930. P. s. siNcL-AIF:` f 1,752,897

' Aia INLET DEVICE FOR lOIL BuRERs Filed Nav. 27, 192e s sheets-sheet 1A TTORNE Y.

June 10, 1 930. P. s. slNcLAlR vAIR INLET DEVICE FOR OIL BURNERS FiledNov. 27. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTolg Pfff/JI ,.5 Zaza;

QfaA/b TTORNEY.

'.'Jun'e 10, 1930. P. s. slNcLAlR 1,762,897

AIR INLET DEVICE FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Nov. 27. 192e 3 sheets-sheet sATTORNEY.

Patented June 10, 1930 Unirse! STATES PATENT ori-ICE PETER S. SINCLAIR,oF noLYoxn, i/iASSACiiUSETTS,` Assieivorv To HoLYo'KE HEAI'JIERYCOMPANY, or HoLYoKE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CoRroRATioiv or MASSACHUSETTS 4Ain INLETy DEVICE 'ron ori. BURNERS Appneation filed November 27, 192e.Semi No. 151,076. j

This invention relates to improvements in air inlet `devices foroil'burners of the type of construction in which the Wat-er heating`coils are located within an iiiclosing casing,wliich 5 inclosing casingserves as a combustion chain. ber in which a blue flame is produced, andto carry off the heated products of combustion. The present invention isan improvement on the construction shown, described, and claimed inmy'prior joint Letters Patent of Y theUnited States granted to George C.Gill, Peter S. Sinclair, and Patrick Moakler, #1,246,813, dated November18, 1917. In this patent isvshown a removable riiig'whicli is locatedbetween the burner and the inclosing casing and having an air tightjoint on the casing andbuiner respectively. This ring is formed with aseries of openings to permit the requisite volume of external air toenter the casing from below and pass upward into Contact with the upperpart of the burner. The present invention has for an object to providean air inlet device in which the flow is substantially unbroken anduniform and without its being broken up into small :streams of air whichis the case with a `perfo.

rated ring.

In the present invention, this ring` is omitted and in its place thereis provided an annular ,flange which is formed as anlintegral part ofthe back casingand front casing lor door respectively. These flanges areeach formed with a pluralitv of spaced lugs or pro# jections, which lugsare designed to engage the outer surface of a collar or ring of theburner, whereby an annular space between the collar or ring and casingis provided to permit the external air to flow as al solid Stream upwardinto the inclosing casing and -r10 above the burner; f

The invention further comprises a lseries of lugs located on theinterior surface of the collar or ring. These lugs are for the purposeof radially and concentricallyspacing T5 this collar'from the outsidesurface ofthe burner in order to permit the external airto flow upwardwithin the collar and directly into contact with the upper end of thewick portion of the burner and below the usual delecting plate. or Hainespreader of the lugs which operate as burner. l.Theyl also serve theimportant feature of accurately and concentrica-lly centeriiig'thecollar relativeto the inner surface of the casing. Some -of the lugs onthis collar are longerand slitted topermit them to Dass throughopenings or spaces which are formed `on the flange that is located andattached to the outside of the burner, .whereby when the i collar ismoved downward these longer lugs will pass through these openings in theflange. The slits will then pass onto the flange. This collar or ringcan therefore be secur-ely locked t-o the burner, and, at the same timekitis accurately centered and spaced fiom the outside surface ofthe.burner for producing an annular opening of'uniform area which' com-Vpletely surrounds the outer surface of thc burner. The other or shorterlugs that do not pass through the openings or1 slits in the ilange'aredesignedto rest directly on'tlie upper surfaceV of the flange thuspreventing the collar or ring from tilting relative to the axis of theburner.. The collar is therefore accurately positioned or centered bothvert1- cally and horizontally on'the burner. "I lie annular openings Aonboth the inside and outside ofthe vcollar are of uniform area throughouttheiry length.

It isv also to benoted that in the elimination of the, removableperforated ring em.- ployed infin former' joint Patent No. 1,246,813 andinl j tion of the integral yflange having spacing an air controlling andburner 'centering memberthat a. very much more simple structure isobtained lat materiallyless cost to manufacture.

ring which prevents tilting of the4 same, which tilting consequentlywould cause an unequal flow of air resulting in an uneven flame andimperfect combustion;

the substitution oi' utiliza-` This also makes a positive contact withthe collar yor In! the elimination of the. removablelp'erforated ring orcollar shown in my prior joint Y patent and in the substitution of theintegral flange having air spacing lugs on the door and back casing,together with the interlocking collar or ring member on the burner, asimpler structure is obtained and a positive engagement made between theburner collar ring or collar of the wicktube in order to have an annularair space between the ring or collar and wick tube. It also provides theannular flange on the front and back casing for obtaining apredetermined amount or quantity of air4 to form perfect combustion.

A more simple structure is obtained at less cost of manufacture by theelimination ofthe removable perforated ring and the substitution of theintegral internal flange with spacing lugs on the door and back casing.This structure in conjunction with the interlocking collar or ringmember makes a positive connection between the burner collar or ring andthe casing resulting in an even and perfect combustion entirely aroundthe burner and consequently more heat.

I claim that by using the flange and lugs on the door and the backcasing, bydispensing with the perforated ring and by pivotallysupporting the feed pipe and the burner that the burner can bepositioned closer to the heating element, which will obviously heat thewater more quickly.

I claim that by using the pivotal joint construction to permit theburner to be swung out from the casing when it is necessary to eitherclean it or to change the wick permits thc burner to be positionednearerl to the -water heating element in the casing with a more intenseheat delivered `to the water heating element. p

Reference is now made to the drawings and specifications for a fulldescription.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical elevational view of thecomplete oilV water heater showing the interior of the inclosing casingwith the plurality of spirally arranged coils therein, the oil burner,the integral flange on the interior surface of the burner and doorrespectively, and the means for pivotally supporting the oil supplyreceptacle and its feed pipe.

Fig. 2 vis a sectional plan view considered on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the collar or ring and theupper portion of the burner in section illustrating the supporting andlocking lugs on the interior of the collar or ring and in engagementwith the flange on the burner.

Fig. 4l is a detail plan view of a part of the upper end of the burnerand particularly showing the flange on its outer surface with the threeslots or openings formed therein.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of Fig. 4l.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the collar or ring illustrating the locking,supporting, and spacing lugs which are secured on the interior surfaceof the collar or ring.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a portion of the outer part of the burner insection, and illustrating one of the shorter supporting and spacing lugsVon the outer surface of the flange of the burner.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 illustrating one of the longer andslitted locking and spacing lugs and the flange of the burner spacedfrom the opening in the lugs.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the collar or ring showing the locationof the locking and spacing lugs on its inner surface.

Fig. 11 isa perspective view with the collar removed but illustratingthe manner of locking the collar to the flange of the burner.

Fig. 12'is a plan view of the collar or ring showing a modification ofthe locking lugs.

Fig. 13 is a modification of the burner illustrating the raised ridgesor mutilated threads with which the lugs shown in Fig. engage.

14 is a detail of one of the raised ridges or mutilated threads.

Fig. 15 is a detail of one of the locking lugs on the ring shown in Fig.12. I

Fig. 16 is a detail perspective View illustrating the relation of thelugs of the integral flange in engagement with the collar or ring of theburner for centering the same in the casing.

Fig. 17 is a detail plan view of the flange and itsintegral lugs and thecollar or'ring showing the annular air space.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the back casing; 2 the front or door part of the casingwhich is pivotally connected to the back casing as indicated by thehinge construction 3. Located within the inclosing casing are the waterheating coils el, several of which are shown that are connected at theirupper end and lower end to the common manifolds 5 and 6. The lowermanifold c serving for the entrance of the water to be heated whichflows upward through the coils 4 to the manifold 5 where the heatedwater is discharged through the outlet pipe 7. 8 is a top casting orplate which is secured to the back member 1 by means of the boltconstruction 9. The lower end of the back casing 1 is formed with aflared or downward and outwardly extending part, indicated at 10 andhaving the inwardly turned flange 11. Secured to this .flange is a plate12 for supporting the burner 13 and feed pipe 15. 1el is an internallyretedV lugs 29 to register with the openings or place by means of thespringclip 23.

cessed'lug or projectionwhich irs/located on pedestal if desired. An oilfeed pipe is pivotallyvconnected to the-burner plate 12 as indicatedbythe pin 16, whichpin is a part of the lower clamping member 17 inwhich the feed pipe 15 rests.v y 18 is Vthe upper clamping member thatrests on the upper surface of the feed pipe 15 and is secured to thelower clamping member 17 by means of the screws 19. Attached to the feedpipe 15 is a cylindrical member 2O which supports the remov-V able oilsupply can or reservoir 21. The out.- er end of the feed pipe 15 restsupon the block or footpiece 22 and is releasably retained in The burnerV13 is secured to the fuel feed pipe 15 by meansof the clampingVconstruction 24, andthe block or rest 25. at 24, also supplies oil tothe burner'13 vfrom the feed pipe 15, as shown at 17 in my prior jointPatent No. 1,246,813, Nov. 13, 1917. The burner 13 is formed with anexternal flange or rib 26, which rib isdesigned for supporting andsecuring the collar ork ring 27, a plan view of'which is shown in Figs.6 and 12, a side elevational view in Fig. 7, aA perspective view in Fig.10. Secured to the inner surface 28 of this collar are a series oflocking and spacing lugs or projections29 and 30. The lugs 29 are formedwith a slot or cut out portion 31 (see Fig. 9) and with a surface oredge portion 32 whichr is at right angles to the slot 31. enlarged view,Vare not formed with slots or openings as are those illustrated in Fig.9 by the reference numeral 31. These lugs 29 and are each formed withthe securing tongues 33 which pass through openings in the collar or;ring 27, and then bend over at the outer-v surface of the collarorring27 for securing the saine thereto. This construction is clear lyshown in Figs. 2. 3. and 7. It willrbe observed that the lugs 29 arelonger than'the lugs30. n

.The flange 26 is. formed with the cut out openings or spaces 34 threeof which are shown in Fig. 4. The collar 27 is secured to the flange26of the burner by .placingV it over the lupper end'of the burner andthen pushing it downward as indicated by the arrows 35 in Fig. 11, then,by turning it toward the right or left hand as indicated bythe arrows36. This turning causes the longer and slitspaces 34 in the flange ofthe burner 13. l

The next operation is to Vinovethe collar or rim 27. The slots 31 willnow be opposite the ends`37 of the flange 26, next turn the collar 27.This permits the slots to pass onto or engage with the flange 26 of theburner, whereby the ring or collar 27 is interlocked to the flange 26 ofthe burner. At the same ti1ne,`thelower ends 30 of the lugs 30 rest Thepart indicated y The lugs 30, as shown in Fig. '8.,'

klated threads. y y thelugs 47 are designed toengage the threadsdirectly onthe'upper surface of the flange 26 of the burner.r The lugs29 and 30 also serve the purpose offaccurately,spacing or centeringthe'collar or ring 27 on.r the burner 13,

whereby a uniform annularjair space 38 is vprovided between the burner13 and the inner surface ofthe collar or ring 27 This is and accuratelyalignstheslits 31 of the lugs 29 withA the ends 37 of the flange 26.Also the lugs 30 restingon the flange 26,-together 'with theinterlocking of the slits 31 and flange 26 prevents the collar or ring27 from tipping or becoming inclined. K p

The space between the inner surface of thering or collar 27 and theouter surface of the burner 13 is indicated by the reference numeral 38.This space is for permitting Vthe air .to pass upward inav solidunbroken stream and directly into. contactrwith the upper edge of thewick 39 of ythe burner 13.

For theV purpose of permitting the external air toj pass upward aroundthe outside of y the collar or `ring'27, a flange 40 is cast asa part ofthe back casing'l.- `This flange is vformed with' the integralspacingand centering lugs 41. Theldoor memberis also formed with anintegral fiange'42 and'centering and "spacing lugs 43, whereby when theburner 13 and ring or collar.: 27 is inserted, it will rest against thelugs 41 of the `back casing, and, when the door is closed, the lugs'43will engage or contact with theouter surfacey 'of` the collar-or ,ring27of the burner 13. Thisconstruction provides anaccurate wayfof `forming auniforniand annular. air space 474 around the outside of the collar orring 27. Theseilugs further perform the important function of accuratelyVcentering the collar` or ring 27 in the casing'.

This isclearly shown inthe plan view in F ig.. 2, thus providing theuniform annular air spaces 44 on both the back casing 1 and door 2,Thelower sides of these'lugs 41 and' 43' areV inclined asindicated at41. Y

' Referring to Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15. The

T burner 13 is formed with several struck up inclined parts 45, which ineffect are muti Thenotched recesses 46 in onthe collar or ring 27,whereby when the collar or ring 27 is turned, it will be locked,secured, and centered on the burner 13 in the same manner as alreadydescribed in connection with Figs. 10 and 11.

One of the advantages ofthe elimination of the perforated ring referredto in the above patent betweenthe casing andv burner is that in practiceusers often attemptto insert it in an inverted positionresulting in poorcombustion and in the causing of large quantities of carbon whichcollects on the coils.

Further by the elimination of the removable perforated ring shown in theabove patent and the substitution of an integral ange with spacing lugson the back member and door, a more simple structure is obtained and onethat materially saves in the cost of the manufacture of the heater. Alsoby the elimina-tion of this ring and in the substitution of a flangewith spacing lugs it provides substantially an open and unobstructediiow of a. solid stream of air into the casing since there is no baiiingor retarding or splitting up of the continuous flow of air to theburner. By reason of the interlocking connection between the collar orring and the flange and spacing lugs of the burner, the collar or ringis accurately centered, and, the area of the annular opening is uniformthroughout its length thus producing better combustion and a more evenand intense heat.

It will be seen, therefore that I have provided a very accurate way ofpermitting the external air to iiow upward within the collar 27 and alsooutside of this collar in substantially an unbroken stream. rIhisconstruction produces an even distribution of the air to the wick andproduces also a blue Haine which signifies or indicates completecombustion Within the inclosing casing and directly below the waterheating coils 4.

The flange 26 in Fig. 13 operates to accurately center the collar orring 27 since the y lower end 47 engage the same when the colftemperature in a specified time. The perforated ring of my oint priorpatent does not permit of the location of the burner in the best heatingposition. This advantageous water heating position of the burner isaccomplished by means of the structure herein described.

Another important feature is that the burner can be properly cleaned andthe wick easily Achanged when swung outward away from the enclosingcasing. rIhis feature is obtained by means of the two piece integralianges 40 and 42 on the casing and door respectively. The onev pieceperforated ring of said patent will not permit the removal of thespreader part of the burner for cleaning purposes.

What I claim is:

l. An oil water heater comprising in combination, an inclosing casing,water heating coils therein, an oil burner located within the casing, aremovable collar or ring like member on the burner, spacing andcentering means on the casing which engage the collar or ring on theburner to provide a concentric and annular air space for causing apredetermined and substantially an unbroken flow of air around theoutside of the collar or ring and upward into the casing.

'2. In a water heater, the combination with an enclosing casing formedas a back member and front or door member, a water heating element inthe casing, an oil burner, a removable collar or ring on the burner,cooperating lug means Ion the back and door members which engage andcenter the said collar and provide an annular air space between thecasing and collar or ring whereby a predetermined `quantity ofsubstantially unbroken air will flow through the said space.

In an oil water heater, the combination with an enclosing casing formedas a back member and a front or door member, a water heating element inthe casing, an oil burner, a removable collar or ring on the burner,cooperating projecting lug means on the back and door members whichengage the removable collar for centering the collar and for providingan annular air space between the casing and collar or ring.`

4. An oil water heater comprising in combination, an enclosing casing, awater heating member therein, an oil burner, a collar or ring on theburner, an integral inwardly extending iange on the casing provided withinwardly projecting spacing lugs, which spacing lugs engage the collaron the burner for centering the burner in the casing and for forming apositive annular air passage way around the collar, wherebysubstantially a continu-ous and unbroken stream of air will enter theenclosing casing.

5. In an oil burner for oil water heaters, an annular flange on theburner which flange is formed with openings or spaces therein, a collaror ring member engaging the burner and flange, means en the collar orring which passes vertically through the openings or spaces of theannular flange for locking the collar to the burner when the collar isrotated, said locking means also operating to accurately center thecollar on the burner and to provide a positirely uniform and Concentricannular air space between the collar and the burner. Y

6. In combination, in an'oil burner, an annular flange on the burner,which flange is formed with openings or spaces cut therein, a collar orring, slotted lugs on the collar which are designed to pass verticallythrough the openings in the flange, and, when the collar is turned, theslots of the lugs and flange will be interlocked said lugs also engagingthe burner for accurately and concentrically which contacts with theburner for centering' centering the collar or ring relative to the tedlugs on the colleror ring which are de! signed to passv verticallythrough the openings in the flange, and, when the collar or ring isturned, the slots of the lugs and flange will be inteilocked, said lugsalso engaging the burner for accurately centering the collar or ringrelative to the burner for providing an annular air space of definite orpositive area bet-Ween the collar or ring and the burner, and other lugson the collar which normally rest upon the flange.

' 8. In an oil water heater, the combination with ain enclosing casingwhichl serves as the combustion chamber water heating coils in thecasing, an oil burner whose upper end isv locatedV in the casing andbelow the coils, a collar or ring on the burner, means on theL casingwhich engages the collar for providing van annular air inlet spacebetween the outside of the collar or ring and the casing, means on theinside of the collar or ring the collar or ring on the burner andk forproviding a free and substantially an unbroken and predeterminedairspace between thev collaror ring and the burner, the latter meanshaving interlocking connection with the K and casing, v n

casing, a flange on the casing having inwarde burner for retaining it inplaceY on the burner.

9. An oil water heater comprising, incombina-tion, an inclosin'g casing,a water heating'element therein, an oil burner in the cas-y ing, acollar or ring like member on the burner, spacing and burner centeringmeans on the casing engaging the collar or ring on the burner toprovideV a positive or definite annular air space for causing apredetermined and substantially unbroken iiowV of air around the collaror ring and upward into the` casing, said spacing and centering meanscomprising a flange on the casing and wedge shaped lugs on the iangewhich engagethe collar or ring. 4

l0. The combination in a water heater, an

o il burner, an enclosing casing, water heating i Ycoils in the casing,devices on the casing which engagefthe' burner for centering theburnerin the casing for providing a positiveanniilar. and substantially anunbroken air space around the burner. Y Y A l 11. The combination, ina'water heater, a

casing, an oil burner' therein, a rib on the burner, a spacingiingbetween the burner a water heating'member in the ly extending lugdevices `which engage the spacing ring for providing substantially aksolidk or unbroken supplyof air acent-the .ing inA combination withopenings of the rib to enclosing shell,

`= mined rate of n air tofthe burner between innersurface of the casing,inwardly projecting bracket ydevices on the spacing ring which engagethe burner `for providing `substantially a second unbroken supply vofa'ir adjacentthe burner proper, the said ring member serving to separatethe` two unbroken. vsupplies of air, theinwardly projecting lug means onthe ring having notches which engage the rib on the burner forinterlocking the ringmember to the'burner, and which 'inwardly extendinglug devices on the flange engage ,the ring for centering theburner andforr preventing its becoming displaced or moved into an inclinedposition. y

l2. In an oil water heater, the combination,

an enclosing casing, water heating elements inthe casing, an oil burnerand oil feedpipe for the Yoil burner on which the lburneris mounted,abase base plate whichV comprises a perforatedpart on the base plate, alower oilfeed pipe clamping member having' avrecess to receive the feedvpipe and alpart which extends through the perforated part of the baseplate, an upper oil feed pipe clamping member whichv rests upon the oilfeed pipe, means for securing the plate attached to the casingfor-pivotally supporting: the burner on theclamps together, and meansfor detachably l retaining the oil feed pipe and the burner onY tol berecessed clamps forL receiving the oil feed pipe on which the burner isplaced, one of the clamps having a projection located in an opening'int-he baseplate, and a spring catch on the base plate rfor retaining thefeed pipe on the burner in its operative position.

14. An oil burner for water heaters havy an enclosing casing, aremovable collar or ring on the burner, means for detachably securingthe collar `or ring on the burnerv comprising a rib on the burner havingopenings, notched lugs on the collar or ring adapted to extend throughthe position the notches for engagement with the rib, whereby when t-hecollar or ring is rotated it is connected to the burner and centeredthereon, as described. y l5. In combination in a water heatingapparatus, a casing, a water heating member therein, an oil burnerhavingan outerwick devices for pivotally att-aching the burner to the casing,devices on the casing for concentrically centering t-he burner in thecasing and for permitting av predeterand casing to-the burner, theburner, V which engage thel wick enclosing shell for permitting a.predeterminedxrate ofv flow of theouter wickl ensupporting the:

How of air between the burner;

a collar device on Y spacing members onv the collar a base plate,janlleo iso n' closing shell of the burner and the collar device, whereby ablue flame is produced.

16. In a device of the character described, a water heating element7 acasing enclosing the water heating element and 'forming Va flue, aburner supporting part on the casing, an oil supply tank, a pipepivotally connected to said supporting part and communicating with theoil supply tank, a burner on the pipe, means for supplying oil to theburner from the pipe, the burner being manually movable with theV pipeinto a position under and away romthe lower end of the water heatingelement.

17. In an oil water heating apparatus, the

' combination with an enclosing casing, a door forming a part of theeasing, a vwater heating member in the casing, an oil burner, a spacingring, an oil feed pipe for the burner, means for pivotally attaching theburner to the said casing to permit the burner to be swung out when thedoor is opened, lug means on the ycasing for engaging the spacing ringfor-centering the burner in the casing and for providing a uniformsupply or flow of air adjacent the upper or wick edge of the burner, aremovable flame spreader for the burner, the construction andarrangement being` such that the burner is positioned by said lug andring means relative to the water heating member so as to impart themaximum heating effect to the water heating member, and, also to permitthe flame spreader of the burner to be removed, when the burner is swungoutward and away from the enclosing casing.

PETER Si. SINCLAR.

